Lately, there has been a bit of discussion about both amplifier power and opinions about HT receivers. I am interested in a new HT receiver and was especially curious about the new mid level series from Onkyo. So I went and checked them out (the 500 and 600 only - the 700 is not in our local stores yet)

What I found to be disappointing is that both the 500 and 600 models do not have phono inputs! (i.e. no phono preamp/equalization) Not sure about the 700 though. Now some may not care about that, but there are many who still love the sweet sound of vinyl. Guess I will have to look harder at the Denon or higher end Onkyos.

It's very suprising to hear that the newer Onkyo units do not have a phono input. When I was shopping for receivers late last year I had both the 595 and 696 noted as having phono inputs. I guess not enough people appreciated them.

I ended up with the 797 and I use the phono input for my NAD533 turntable. It works like a charm!

Did some checking on Onkyo(USA)'s website. Seems that the new model TX-SR700 does have a phono input. (while the 500 and 600 do not) I think it is so new that it doesn't seem to be available in stores yet.

The 700 does have phono input. You can also buy a separate external phono preamp for between $40 and $400 which would allow you to use one of the aux inputs. The $40 one would be as good or better than what is included in most receivers and any of them would be good enough.

You are right! One could always get an external preamp, and if I were a real hard core vinyl nut, I probably would already have one. I liked the old days when even moving coil pre-preamps were built into the high end gear! But alas, I don't have the time nor the energy to deal with that anymore (plus too many years of rock music have taken the edge off of my golden ears! HA!) So I have opted for convenience! I just love the all-in-one remote controls!